Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1887-02-12
GAINESVILLE LAND AND IMPROVE
MENT COMPANY.
The Boom Strikes cIarksvlIis and Gets
Fairly Under Roadway Is the OPP
potunlty for Fortunes-Let Every
body Take Stock.

III hiloWOi W Ntiil icouOh ny bcN6Idl
enterprlsing citizens, quite number of
leading, citizens met at the Court House
Library Monday night to take some
steps for the advancement OF the general
interest OF GAINESVILLE, keeping in line
with the progressive spirit of the new
South. On motion OF Mr.. A. Howell,
Mr.. b. w. Macrae was made chairman
of the meeting, and representatives Of
the press secretaries. Judge Smith
was called upon to give some data or
or plans for organization, which he did
in speech Of twenty minutes, explain
ing how organizations had been effected
and worked in Southern towns, several
of which he was largely interested in,
explaining also how these enterprises
become source of great power for
good. Concentrating capital to be made
active in catching the manufacturing
capital now in rapid transition from the
North to the South. Judge Smith read
Il letter from Mr.. Stone, of the Cumber-
land Furnace, expressing high opinion
of GAINESVILLE as good point for the
manufacture of iron and other things,
saying he thought if the people here
would organize and give some assistance
he had no doubt of being able to raise
capital enough among his friends to
build first-class furnace here. Also
letter from Mr.. Atkinson, vice-pres-
dent and general manager of St. Ber-
nard coal company, stating that the
Clifton Coal company, four miles from
Nortonville, KY. had in SO coke ovens,
% now in operation turning out 90 tons
of coke per day, which was being
shipped to Louisville for foundry pur-
poses, and gave great satisfaction. He
thought there was no doubt about Its
value for making iron, and the COM
pany would be glad to give any assist
ance to the GAINESVILLE movement.
Capt. Gracey said il the iron furnaces
could be built here, in his opinion, the
l., A, & 7. railroad would be built
through South to Dickson without ask
ing the people OF GAINESVILLE for single
dollars help. His engineers had made
preliminary survey to ascertain the
route and amount OF timber along the
line, and found to his surprise mex
haustble beds of iron ore which he did
anticipate, though the timber was
scarcer than was expected. The dis
lance was less than 80 miles and a
standard guage road could be built for
$1,000 per mile. (This road will run
through Mr.. Druillard's iron lands and
enable the Cumberland Furnance to
manufacture iron here cheaper than it
is now doing). Capt. Gracey further
said with these facts in view, GAINESVILLE
was better point than Birmingham
and could compete successfully, having
other advantages that Birmingham did
not possess.
Hon. D. N. Kennedy was called upon
and made stirring little speech. He
said the road could be built, the fur
mace built and the coke could be had
AS stated, then there was no question
about the success of the movement.
Mr.. Howell moved that steps be
taken to organize GAINESVILLE Land
and Improvement Company. Seconded
by Capt. Gracey and carried unanimous
ly.
Judge Smith then presented paper
to be signed by subscribers, which we
present elsewhere, to put the move
ment in shape for organization. Capt.
Herndon, Hon. VIM. Daniel, Chairman
Macrae and others participated in some
discussion as to the proper mode OF
procedure on the adoption OF Judge
Smiths proposition and the mode of
valuing land, and finally it was agreed
to appoint Messrs. II. c. Merritt, Judge
Smith and John Hurst committee to
receive subscriptions and value lands.
Persons subscribing land will place
their own value on it. This committee
will pass upon it, and if in their judg-
ment the land is worth the fixed price
in cash, they will accept it, and if not,
will reject 1t, and that will be the
end of the transaction unless the
subscriber chooses to take the commit.
tees valuation. The books are open al
Mr.. Merritt's Office for subscriptions
Mr.. Merritt has since been confined a,
home on account of the illness OF his
wife, Judge Smith absent in Nashville
Mr.. Hurst engaged at his store, and
very little has been done. However
several liberal subscription have been
made, some received from a distance
by telegram, showing the confidence
people have in GAINESVILLE as a solid